The American midfielder provided the only goal needed for the U.S. to claim their first trophy of 2024.
It's not the trophy the U.S. women's national team is aiming for this year, there's a bigger one on the horizon. For the next few weeks and months, the excitement will only continue to build and build toward this summer's Paris Olympics.
If the U.S. does succeed in France, if they are to put last summer's World Cup disaster behind them, if they do end up regaining their place at the top of the mountain top, we might just say that this Gold Cup was really where it all began. This may just have been the tournament where the USWNT got their swagger back, where they remembered who and what they are and what it takes to be just that.
Lindsey Horan's goal late in the first half was all the U.S. needed to claim a 1-0 victory. After surviving a chaotic semifinal against Canada, Sunday's Gold Cup finale was a different type of match – It was tense and nervy and somewhat stressful. It was a game of fine margins; not calamity and chaos.
And sometimes, in those types of games, you just need a moment. Horan created it, with a little help from Emily Fox and Trinity Rodman, too. Fine margins are what undid the U.S. in Australia… maybe this was the tournament and the game that taught a new generation of young stars how to navigate them.
On Sunday night, the U.S. lifted a trophy. Horan, the captain, led the charge in what truly felt like a team effort. The USWNT is building something, or perhaps rebuilding something. The Gold Cup trophy is in hand… let's see what's next.
GOAL rates the USWNTs players from Snapdragon Stadium…
Goalkeeper & Defense
Alyssa Naeher (6/10):
After going superhuman in the semifinal, the final was much easier for Naeher. Didn't need to do much, which is probably just fine with her.
Crystal Dunn (6/10):
Struggled a bit in the first half, but came alive in the second, which was a good lift to the U.S. but not her best position, still.
Naomi Girma (7/10):
Solid as always. Brazil tried to pressure her but she never looked phased.
Tierna Davidson (6/10):
A few too may fouls and took a few too many risks. Got away with them, though, so it all worked out.
Emily Fox (8/10):
An absolute peach of a cross for the assist. Composed whenever she was on the ball, too. Another fantastic performance from the USWNT's unsung hero.
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Lindsey Horan (8/10):
A big game player, no doubt. Her huge header altered the momentum of the game, ensuring Brazil would go into halftime frustrated. When the U.S. needs her, Horan always seems to step up.
Sam Coffey (8/10):
Absolutely fantastic in the center of the field. her pressing led to Horan's opener, but that was only the most notable moment of the ridiculous amount of dirty work Coffey did to lift the USWNT.
Korbin Albert (7/10):
So much energy. Looked like she belonged again, so it's safe to say that she officially does. A big start for a player that is surging up the depth chart.
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Rose Lavelle (6/10):
Pretty ineffective in more of a wide role. Just stick her in as a No. 10 and keep her there.
Alex Morgan (6/10):
Came out aggressive, perhaps too much so. Walked the line after getting a yellow card and was taken out early in the second half to avoid a sending-off.
Trinity Rodman (7/10):
Played her part on Horan's goal, holding the ball up before earning the hockey assist. Was dangerous in the second half, too, as her everpresent dribbling and improved decision-making could have led to another goal.
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Lynn Williams (6/10):
Was so unlucky not to get a goal, as her tidy finish was wiped out due to an offside call.
Sophia Smith (7/10):
Definitely felt like a goal threat after coming on. Dangerous on the ball and pressed her heart out when Brazil had it.
Jaedyn Shaw (6/10):
Felt like the game was calling for her early on but, by the time she came in, the U.S. was looking to kill the game, limiting her ability to really change it.
Midge Purce (6/10):
An obvious sub in place of the tiring Rodman. Brought energy and pressing with the U.S. needing to protect their goal.
Casey Krueger (6/10):
Tossed on in place of Dunn late to add some fresh legs, had a huge defensive header in the dying moments.
Twila Kilgore (6/10):
Feels like there were some questionable lineup decisions, particularly involving Shaw. Still, the U.S. got the job done, so you can't hate too much! Her first trophy as interim boss.
